Gunman Who Killed 4 At Manhattan Office Building Was Targeting NFL Headquarters, Mayor Says

New York City was left in shock on Monday evening after a deadly shooting at a Manhattan office skyscraper claimed the lives of four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Tuesday that the gunman, identified as 38-year-old Shane Tamura, had been targeting the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL) but mistakenly entered the wrong elevator bank.

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Authorities said Tamura, a former high school football player from California, arrived outside 345 Park Avenue around 6:30 p.m. in a double-parked BMW. Surveillance footage captured him stepping out of the vehicle with an M4 rifle before storming into the building’s public plaza and opening fire in the lobby.

A Tragic Sequence of Events

According to Police Commissioner Jesica Tisch, Tamura first shot and killed 36-year-old NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who was working a corporate security detail inside the building. Islam, an immigrant from Bangladesh, had served on the force for three and a half years.

“He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm’s way. He made the ultimate sacrifice,” Tisch said. “He died as he lived. A

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hero.”

After fatally shooting the officer, Tamura fired at other individuals in the lobby, killing a woman who attempted to take cover and injuring others in the chaos. He then shot a security guard at a front desk before heading toward the elevators.

Believing he was heading toward the NFL headquarters, Tamura took an elevator that instead led him to the 33rd floor — offices belonging to Rudin Management, the building’s owner. There, he shot and killed an employee before turning the gun on himself.

Gunman’s Motive Linked to NFL Grievances

Mayor Adams disclosed that investigators found a rambling note on Tamura’s body, suggesting he harbored grievances against the NFL. The note referenced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma, common in contact sports like football.

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Tamura claimed in the note that he believed he suffered from CTE as a result of playing football during his teenage years in California nearly two decades ago. The note reportedly asked that his brain be studied after his death.

A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that the note specifically mentioned the NFL, indicating Tamura blamed the league for his deteriorating mental health.

While police have not yet confirmed a definitive motive, they are investigating whether the presence of the NFL’s headquarters in the building influenced Tamura’s decision to carry out the attack at that location.

Corporate Community in Mourning

The shooting rocked one of Manhattan’s prime office buildings, which houses not only the NFL headquarters but also Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment firms, and other corporate tenants including KPMG.

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Blackstone later confirmed that one of its staff members was among the victims, though the employee’s identity has not yet been released. “Our hearts go out to the family of our colleague and to all those impacted by this senseless act of violence,” the company said in a statement.

The NFL’s Response

The NFL issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and gratitude to law enforcement for their rapid response. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded near our headquarters in New York City. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected,” the league said.

League officials confirmed that no NFL employees were harmed in the attack, as Tamura never reached their offices due to taking the wrong elevator bank.

A Growing Debate on Mental Health and Gun Violence

The incident has reignited discussions surrounding gun violence, mental health, and the potential long-term effects of concussions in sports. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, the disease has been linked to behavioral changes, depression, and aggression.

Experts have pointed out that Tamura’s note reflects broader concerns over the lack of support for former athletes who suspect they may be suffering from brain trauma. However, officials emphasized that his actions cannot be justified, regardless of his mental health struggles.

Mayor Adams addressed the broader issue of gun violence in the city, reiterating calls for stricter gun control measures. “This tragedy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive gun reform and better mental health support. We must prevent weapons of war from ending up in the hands of individuals with violent intentions,” he said.

Investigation Ongoing

Authorities are now piecing together Tamura’s movements in the days leading up to the shooting. Police said he legally purchased several firearms in recent years, though it is still unclear whether the M4 rifle used in the attack was obtained legally.

Officials are also reviewing Tamura’s online activity and any communications he may have had that indicated his grievances with the NFL. Investigators are interviewing family members and acquaintances to determine whether anyone noticed signs of mental distress.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are assisting in the investigation.

Remembering the Victims

The NYPD and city officials have pledged full support to the families of the victims. Officer Islam is being hailed as a hero for his actions, which authorities say likely prevented even greater loss of life.

“He gave his life protecting others. We will never forget his sacrifice,” Commissioner Tisch said.

Vigils are being planned for the victims, including the unnamed Blackstone employee and the other civilian killed in the lobby.

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Moving Forward

As New Yorkers process the tragedy, questions remain about how Tamura managed to carry out the attack so easily. Security protocols at high-profile buildings are now under review.

For many, the incident is yet another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence in the United States — and the complex role that mental illness can play in such attacks.

Mayor Adams vowed that the city would “learn every possible lesson” from the tragedy to ensure it never happens again.

“New York City is resilient,” he said. “We will mourn, we will heal, and we will continue to fight for a safer city.”

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